Polarisation is on the rise across Europe, and with the elections on horizon later this month, the
climate in the Netherlands is as fraught as ever. Heated debates on divisive issues are
increasingly amplified online, often by narratives designed to divide communities. At Justice for
Prosperity (JfP), we believe the best strategy is to find the firestarters before they ignite the
flame.
That’s why we’ve been steadily developing an early warning system to focus on “pre-bunking”
threats to democracy before disinformation takes hold. In 2023, JfP launched the WhoDis 1
Project, a data-driven initiative to track polarising narratives and the networks behind them.
WhoDis 1 uncovered how subversive actors manipulate public discourse using tactics like
networking, media influence, funding, and attacks on rights defenders. Importantly, it also laid
the groundwork for an AI platform that equips journalists, researchers, and policymakers with
tools to detect online hate and polarisation.
Building on these insights, WhoDis 2 takes things further. Its goal is early detection of divisive
narratives around four high-impact themes: immigration, security, LGBTIQ+ rights, and sexual
and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). By spotting trends early, WhoDis 2 can prevent
societal rifts from deepening and protect policy debates from being shaped by misleading or
manipulative messaging.
The platform blends AI-driven analysis with expert research. It monitors online sources, flags
malicious content, and evaluates narratives for manipulative messaging, negative framing, and
calls to action. Patterns like Threat, Crisis, Betrayal, and Moral Decline are tracked, helping reveal
the narratives most likely to polarise public opinion.
But WhoDis 2 does more than analyse words. It maps how influence spreads online, identifying
key actors, ideological clusters, and echo chambers. By visualising these networks, the platform
shows who is driving polarisation, how messages travel, and where intervention is most
effective.
Ultimately, WhoDis 2 strengthens the Netherlands’ digital resilience. By providing early insights
into divisive narratives, it empowers policymakers and civil society to respond proactively,
fostering informed debate and protecting democratic processes.